U.S. patent application number 10/454117 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-19 for acoustic device.
Invention is credited to Isaka, Akihiko, Miyamoto, Katsuki, Ueno, Noboru, Yoshimura, Katsuhiko.
Application Number | 20040031370 10/454117 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30002212 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040031370 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ueno, Noboru ; et
al. |
February 19, 2004 |
Acoustic device
Abstract
An acoustic device having a sound volume control is provided.
The device includes a sound generating body and a resonator having
a mount member to which the sound generating body is mounted.
According to the invention, a sound control member is provided to
control the transmission of sound from the sound generating body to
the resonator to control the sound volume. In one aspect, the sound
control member is capable of adjusting a contact pressure between
the sound generating body and the mount member to vary the sound
volume more precisely.
Inventors: |
Ueno, Noboru; (Suwa-gun,
JP) ; Isaka, Akihiko; (Suwa-gun, JP) ;
Yoshimura, Katsuhiko; (Suwa-gun, JP) ; Miyamoto,
Katsuki; (Suwa-gun, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
REED SMITH, LLP
ATTN: PATENT RECORDS DEPARTMENT
599 LEXINGTON AVENUE, 29TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10022-7650
US
|
Family ID: |
30002212 |
Appl. No.: |
10/454117 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
84/94.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G10F 5/00 20130101; G10F
1/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
84/94.1 |
International
Class: |
G10F 001/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 5, 2002 |
JP |
2002-164219 |
Dec 9, 2002 |
JP |
2002-356382 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An acoustic device comprising: a sound generating body; and a
resonator having a mount member to which said sound generating body
is mounted; wherein a frame of said sound generating body and said
mount member are fixed via a control member which can control the
transmission of the vibration energy of the sound generated by said
sound generating body.
2. The acoustic device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
control member is attached so as to control a contact pressure
between said frame of said sound generating body and said mount
member.
3. The acoustic device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said
control member is an elastic member; when said control member is
provided at two or more positions, different sizes, shapes,
coefficients of elasticity, and mounting conditions need to be
considered.
4. The acoustic device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said
contact pressure can be controlled by a combined function of a
deforming means of said elastic member and a manual operation
member connected to said deforming member.
5. An acoustic device comprising: a sound generating body; an
amplifying member for amplifying the audio vibration sound
generated by said sound generating body; a holding member for
supporting said amplifying member; and a transmitting member for
transmitting said vibration, which is generated by said sound
generating body, to said amplifying member; wherein said
transmitting member is arranged to make contact with or detach from
said sound generating body and said amplifying member, and also to
change the contact condition between said sound generating body and
said amplifying member so that the volume of the sound which is
transmitted from said sound generating body to said amplifying
member and is generated at said amplifying member is
controlled.
6. The acoustic device as set forth in claim 5, wherein a
vibration-preventing member is provided between said sound
generating body and said holding member.
7. The acoustic device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said
amplifying member is a plate-like member, and said holding member
is fixed to a side surface of said amplifying member.
8. The acoustic device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said sound
generating body is a music box movement.
9. The acoustic device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said sound
generating body is attached to an interposing member, and said
transmitting member is arranged between said interposing member and
said amplifying member.
10. The acoustic device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said
vibration-preventing member is of a bent shape.
11. An acoustic device comprising: a sound generating body; a
resonator having a mount member to which the sound generating body
is mounted; and a sound control member that controls the
transmission of sound from the sound generating body to the
resonator to control the sound volume.
12. The acoustic device according to claim 11, wherein the sound
control member is coupled to the sound generating body and the
mount member, and is operable to adjust a contact pressure between
the sound generating body and the mount member to vary the sound
volume.
13. The acoustic device according to claim 12, wherein the sound
control member includes at least one elastic member disposed
between the sound generating body and the mount member.
14. The acoustic device according to claim 12, wherein the sound
control member includes a plurality of elastic members spaced apart
from each other and attached to both the sound generating body and
the mount member, at least one of the elastic members having a
different elasticity than the other elastic members.
15. An acoustic device comprising: a sound generating body; an
amplifying member operable to non-electrically amplify sound
generated by the sound generating body; and a transmitting member
operable to transmit the sound generated by the sound generating
body to the amplifying member; wherein the transmitting member is
disposed to couple the sound generating body and the sound
generating body together and to decouple the sound generating body
from the amplifying member.
16. The acoustic device according to claim 15, wherein the
transmitting member is operable to adjust the contact condition
between the sound generating body and the amplifying member so as
to vary the extent to which the sound is transmitted from the sound
generating body to the amplifying member.
17. The acoustic device according to claim 15, further comprising a
vibration-preventing member disposed between the sound generating
body and the holding member.
18. The acoustic device according to claim 17, wherein the
vibration-preventing member has a bent dog-leg portion.
19. The acoustic device according to claim 15, further comprising:
a holding member that supports the amplifying member; wherein the
amplifying member includes a plate-like member and the holding
member is fixed to a side surface of the amplifying member.
20. The acoustic device according to claim 15, wherein the sound
generating body is a music box movement.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent
Application No. 2002-164219, filed Jun. 5, 2002 and Japanese Patent
Application No. 2002-356382, filed Dec. 5, 2002, both of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an acoustic device, and
especially relates to a volume control mechanism of a music box.
The present invention relates to an acoustic device, such as a
music box, having an amplifying member and a sound-pressure
controlling mechanism as well.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A conventional acoustic device such as a music box is
normally equipped with a sound generating body, for example, a
music box sound generating mechanism, in which the rotations of a
drive source such as a spring mechanism or a motor are transmitted
to a rotary drum via a speed-governed gear mechanism and the pins
on the rotary drum pick the reeds arranged according to a given
music to play a given melody. This music box sound generating
mechanism is fixed inside a wooden case such as a jewelry box or a
toy. The vibrations of the reeds, which are the source of the
sound, are efficiently resounded inside the wooden case (housing)
to increase the volume.
[0004] However, once the material, shape and dimension of the
wooden case, which is a resonator, and the mounting structure of a
movement are determined, the volume of the music box is fixed to
the ears of the listener and the listener cannot change the volume
according to the environment or his mood.
[0005] Also, a music box movement, one of the sound generating
bodies of acoustic devices, comprises a plurality of reeds arranged
along the scale, a rotary body having pins which pick the reeds in
the order corresponding to a predetermined piece of music, a drive
source for driving the rotary body, and a rotation-transmitting
mechanism. There are a drum-type and a disk-type for the rotary
body. Since a loud sound cannot be obtained using only the music
box movement with such a configuration, the music box movement is
normally installed in a housing such as a resonance box so that the
sound is amplified by using the resonance of the housing and the
air vibration inside the housing.
[0006] However, with the conventional configuration to amplify the
sound, the vibrations of multiple frequencies are mixed inside the
housing. Consequently it is difficult to take the raw sound
generated by the reeds as a pure sound and amplify it. Considering
the above problem, an amplifying device of a music box has been
proposed, which is disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent
Application H8-254977, incorporated herein by reference. In that
application, the music box movement has a firm contact with a side
edge of an amplifying plate on a curved, thin plate; a holding
mechanism is provided for holding the amplifying plate in a curved
shape by force; and the vibrations generated by the reeds of the
music box movement are amplified by the amplifying plate.
[0007] In a conventional music box, the sound pressure generated is
constant, so the sound pressure cannot be arbitrarily controlled to
any level. At best, the resonance condition may be changed by
changing the place, stand or table for placing the music box so
that the loudness of the sound audible to listener's ears can be
changed.
[0008] Then, an objective of the present invention is to provide an
acoustic device that has a simple configuration but can control the
volume anytime without using an expensive electrical amplifier.
[0009] The present invention has been devised to solve the above
problems in the prior art. An objective of the present invention is
to provide an acoustic device in which the sound pressure can be
effectively controlled by designing the configuration of the
transmitting portion of the vibration from the sound generating
body such as a music box movement to the amplifying member and then
independent from the material of the elastic member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In order to achieve the above objective, an acoustic device
of the present invention comprises a sound generating body and a
resonator having a mounting member to which the sound generating
body is mounted, wherein a frame of the sound generating body is
fixed to the mounting member via a control member that can control
the transmission of the vibration energy of the sound generated by
the sound generating body.
[0011] The control member is arranged to be capable of controlling
the contact pressure between the frame of the sound generating body
and the mounting member. Further, the control member is an elastic
member; when it is provided at two or more places, it is preferred
that different sizes, shapes, coefficients of elasticity and
mounting conditions be considered. Moreover, the contact pressure
can be controlled by a combined function between a deforming means
of the elastic member and a manual operation member that is
connected to the deforming member.
[0012] In one aspect, the invention comprises a sound generating
body, an amplifying member for amplifying an audio vibration sound
generated by the sound generating body, a holding member for
supporting the amplifying member, and a transmitting member for
transmitting the vibration generated by the sound generating body
to the amplifying member; wherein the transmitting member is
arranged to be capable of making contact with or separating from
the sound generating body and the amplifying member, and also
capable of changing the contact condition between the sound
generating body and the amplifying member to control the volume of
the sound, which is transmitted from the sound generating body to
the amplifying member and is generated at the amplifying
member.
[0013] The audio vibration sound generated by the sound generating
body is transmitted to the amplifying member through the
transmitting member. The amplifying member enhances the audio
vibration sound transmitted from the sound generating body. The
transmitting member changes the contact condition between the sound
generating body and the amplifying member so that the efficiency of
transmission of the audio vibration sound from the sound generating
body to the
[0014] amplifying member can be changed; therefore, the loudness of
the sound which is generated at the amplifying member can be
controlled.
[0015] In another aspect of the invention, a vibration-preventing
member is provided between the sound generating body and the
holding member.
[0016] Between the sound generating body and the holding member,
the sound from the sound generating body is transmitted to the
holding member via the transmitting member and the sound
transmission through the other portions is intercepted by the
vibration-preventing member. Thus, the sound pressure can be
effectively controlled and a good frequency property can be
obtained.
[0017] In another aspect of the invention, the amplifying member is
a plate-like member and the holding member is fixed to a side
surface of the amplifying member.
[0018] In another aspect of the invention, the sound generating
body is a music box movement.
[0019] In another aspect of the invention, the sound generating
body is attached to an interposing member and the transmitting
member is positioned between the interposing member and the
amplifying member.
[0020] In yet another aspect of the invention, the
vibration-preventing member is of a bent shape or a dog-leg.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cutaway of an embodiment of an
acoustic device of the present invention, in which the
configuration inside is shown.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a side view of a cutaway of FIG. 1 in which the
configuration inside is shown.
[0023] FIG. 3 is partial side views to show the volume control
operation by a volume control lever in the acoustic device of the
present invention: FIG. 3(a) shows the condition for the medium
volume; and FIG. 3(b) shows the condition for the lowest
volume.
[0024] FIG. 4 is component diagrams of the volume control lever in
the acoustic device of the present invention: FIG. 4(a) is a plan
view; and FIG. 4(b) is a side view.
[0025] FIG. 5 is component diagrams of the volume control cam
member in the acoustic device of the present invention: FIG. 5(a)
is a plan view; FIG. 5(b) is a side view; and FIG. 5(c) is a
development view showing the changes of the cam in height.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a front view of another embodiment of an audio
device of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 6.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a front view of another embodiment of the
transmitting member that can be applied to the present invention:
FIG. 8(a) shows a condition in which the transmitting member is
separated from the sound generating body and the amplifying member;
and FIG. 8(b) shows a condition in which the transmitting member is
in contact with the sound generating body and the amplifying
member.
[0029] FIG. 9 is a front view of another embodiment of the
transmitting member that can be applied to the present invention:
FIG. 9(a) shows a condition in which the transmitting member is
separated from the sound generating body and the amplifying member;
and FIG. 9(b) shows a condition in which the transmitting member is
in contact with the sound generating body and the amplifying
member.
[0030] FIG. 10 is a front view of another embodiment of the
transmitting member that can be applied to the present invention:
FIG. 10(a) shows a condition in which a vibration-transmitting
member, which configures the transmitting member, is separated from
the sound generating body and the amplifying member; and FIG. 10(b)
shows a condition in which the vibration-transmitting member is in
contact with the sound generating body and the amplifying
member.
[0031] FIG. 11 is a property line diagram showing the results of
the measurement of the frequency properties obtained when the
transmitting member makes contact with the sound generating body
and the amplifying member and when it is separated from them in the
embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0032] FIG. 12 is a front view of another form of the
vibration-preventing member which can be applied in the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 13 is a property line diagram showing the results of
the measurement of the frequency properties obtained when the
transmitting member makes contact with the sound generating body
and the amplifying member and when it is separated from them in the
embodiment of FIG. 12.
[0034] FIG. 14 is a front view of another form of the
vibration-preventing member which can be applied in the present
invention.
[0035] FIG. 15 is a front view of another form of the
vibration-preventing member which can be applied in the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] Embodiments of a music box as an acoustic device of the
present invention are described hereinafter based on the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of an acoustic device of the
present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of
[0037] FIG. 1. Each FIGURE is partially broken to show the
configuration inside the acoustic device. Reference number 10
indicates a music box as an acoustic device of this embodiment. A
music box sound generating mechanism 11 is placed inside a
resonator 12. Note that a cylinder-type music box is shown as the
music box sound generating mechanism 11 to describe the embodiment
of the music box of the present invention, but the configuration of
this type is known well. Therefore, the detailed description is
omitted.
[0038] On the bottom surface of a base 14 of a frame 13 on which
the music box sound generating mechanism 11 is configured, guide
pins 15a, 15b, and 15c are formed upright from and integral with a
base 14 at three positions. The three positions are not on the same
line but are distanced appropriately to form a stable plane.
Reference number 16 indicates a mount member which is formed as a
portion of the resonator 12, and the music box sound generating
mechanism 11 is attached thereon. The guide pins 15a, 15b, and 15c
are respectively inserted and positioned into through holes 17 at
three positions on the mount member 16.
[0039] Each of the through holes 17, into which the guide pins 15a,
15b, 15c are respectively inserted, has a larger diameter portion
17a on the side opposite from the base 14, and compressive coil
springs 18a, 18b, and 18c having different spring constants are
stored as control members between the bottom surface of the base 14
and the mount member 16. In other words, the compressive coil
springs 18a, 18b, and 18c which are respectively interposed between
the bottom surface 17b of the larger diameter portion 17a and the
bottom surface of the base 14 press the music box sound generating
mechanism 11 and the base 14 bottom surface with both ends thereof
attached to the bottom surface and the mechanism 11 in the
direction to separate them from one another.
[0040] In other words, the transmission of the vibration energy of
the sound generated by the sound generating body 11 is controlled
by the compressive coil springs 18a, 18b, and 18c. Reference number
20 indicates a support shaft, and it is fixed at a median point of
the triangle formed by the guide pins 15a, 15b and 15c, by a
universal joint almost perpendicular to the bottom surface of the
base 14.
[0041] The support shaft 10 is loosely inserted into a through hole
21 formed at the corresponding position on the mount member 16, and
projects from another surface 16a of the mount member 16. Then, a
shaft hole 22a (see FIG. 4) of a lever 22 is fitted as a manual
operation member to a barrel portion 20a of the projecting shaft
support 20. The lever 22 is rotatably supported by the support
shaft 20 such that a seat surface 22c protruded on a boss 22b,
which surrounds the shaft hole 22a, is brought to make contact with
another surface 16a of the mount member 16. Further, on the other
surface of the boss 22b of the lever 22 from the seat surface 22c,
cam followers 22d are provided at two positions along the outer
circumference of the boss 22b and symmetrical about the shaft hole
22a to face a cam member 25 as a deforming means (to be described
later) (see FIG. 4).
[0042] The cam member 25 as the deforming means, which has a cam 24
projected on a surface 23a of the boss 23 facing the boss 22b of
the lever 22, is supported such that a center hole 23b of the boss
23 is fitted around the support shaft 20 and supported by a nut 26
which is screwed into an external thread 20b at the tip portion of
the support shaft 20. At that time, crest surfaces 24a of the cam
24 and points of the cam followers 22d make a contact with each
other and also the base 14 bottom surface of the music box sound
generating mechanism 11 makes a firm contact with the facing
surface 16b of the mount member 16 to determine the screwing
position for the nut 26. An arm 27 is extended from the outer
circumference of the boss 23 of the cam member 25 and a U-like cut
28 with one end open, formed in the center in the longitude
direction, is engaged with a fixing pin 30 provided on the mount
member 16 to prevent the rotation and to position the cam 24 with
respect to the circumferential direction. Note that Reference
number 16c is a protrusion.
[0043] Next described is the operation to increase the volume by
controlling the contact pressure between the base 14 of the sound
generating body 11 and the mount member 16. The contact pressure is
controlled by moving the cam member 25, which is the deforming
means for the compressive coil springs 18a, 18b, and 18c as the
elastic members, with the lever 22 as the manual operation member.
FIG. 2 illustrates that, in the development view of the cam 24 of
FIG. 5(c), the cam followers 22d of the lever 22 are positioned
within the range of the crest surfaces 24a of the cam 24
(75.degree.-150.degree.). In other words, the cam member 25 pulls
the support shaft 20 against the forces of the compressive coil
springs 18a, 18b, and 18c through the nut 26 to compress all the
springs 18a, 18b, and 18c so that the entire bottom surface of the
base 14 of the music box sound generating mechanism 11 and the
facing surface 16b of the mount member 16 are maintained in a firm
contact condition.
[0044] Since the music box sound generating mechanism 11 and the
mount member 16 have a firm contact over the entire surfaces, when
the music box 10 plays, the vibration sound generated by the music
box sound generating mechanism 11 is efficiently transmitted to the
mount member 16 which is a portion of the resonator 12.
[0045] Consequently, the loudest volume the music box of this
embodiment can produce is generated at the resonator 12.
[0046] FIG. 3(a) illustrates that the lever is turned and the cam
followers 22d are positioned in the range (0.degree.-75.degree.) of
the slope surfaces 24b between the crest surfaces 24a of the cam 24
and trough surfaces 24c in the development view of FIG. 5(c). As
the cam followers 22d are moved toward the trough surfaces 24c, the
facing surfaces of the lever boss 22d and the cam member boss 23a
come close to each other, and each of the compressive coil springs
18a, 18b, and 18c, which extends in the axial direction and can be
also deformed or displaced, freely stretches according to its own
spring constant within its permissive displacement range and moves
the base 14 of the music box sound generating mechanism 11 by
pressing it in the direction to be away from the mount member 16.
This movement relaxes the forces of the compressive coil spring
18a, 18b, and 18c, and therefore, reduces the contact pressure of
the both ends of each compressive coil spring 18a, 18b, 18c with
respect to the base 14 and the mount member 16. Consequently, the
vibration from the music box sound generating mechanism 11 is not
easily transmitted, reducing the volume. Note that Reference number
14a is a protrusion.
[0047] The compressive coil springs 18a, 18b, and 18c in this
embodiment have different spring constants from one another.
Therefore, the contact pressure between the base 14 of the music
box sound generating mechanism 11 and the mount member 16 differs
in respective positions of the springs. For example, FIG. 3(a)
shows that the gap at the position of the guide pin 15a to which
the compressive coil spring 18a having a large spring constant is
attached is larger than the gaps at the positions of the guide pins
15b and 15c to which the compressive coil springs 18b and 18c
having smaller spring constants are attached. The total force of
the compressive coil springs 18a, 18b, and 18c moves the mount
member 16 as well as the lever 22 and the cam member 23 along the
support shaft 20 by pressing them in the direction to be away from
the base 14. The cam member 23 is press-fitted to the nut 26 and is
in equilibrium at every point of the cam slope surfaces 24b; thus,
it is supported in a stable manner. The contact surface 26a between
the cam member 23 and the nut 26 is formed on the spherical
coordinates so that a freedom is given to the coupling of the cam
member 23 and the support shaft 20.
[0048] When the lever 22 is further turned and the cam followers
22d of the lever 22 are moved toward the trough surfaces 24c of the
cam 24 as seen in the development view of the cam 24 of FIG. 5(c),
the gaps between the facing surfaces of the base 14 and the mount
member 16 at the positions of the guide pins 15a, 15b, and 15c are
widened in order of the strength of the spring constants of the
compressive coil springs 18a, 18b, and 18c: as the lever 22 is
turned, the base 14 and the mount member 16 are first in a linear
contact on the line connecting two points at which the spring
constants are low, and then gradually come in a point contact at
one point at which the spring constant is the lowest. In this
manner, the efficiency of the transmission of the vibration is
slowly decreased, reducing the volume.
[0049] Although the three compressive coil springs 18a, 18b and 18c
having different spring constants are used in this embodiment, the
present invention is not limited to this. Three compressive coil
springs that have the same spring constant may be used. When the
coil springs having the same spring constant are used, the
condition of the plane contact may become easily unstable, which in
turn may cause a chatter noise. In such a case, there is a need of
providing a function to prevent the chatter noise. For example,
protrusions (15A, 15B, and 15C) may be provided at three positions
on the bottom surface of the base 14 (the surface opposite from the
mount member 16) and they make firm contacts with the mount member
16.
[0050] When the cam followers 22d are positioned in the trough
surfaces 24c finally, the base 14 is supported by the total force
of the compressive coil springs 18a, 18b and 18c such that the
facing surface thereof is completely detached from the mount member
16. Therefore, the vibration from the music box sound generating
mechanism 11 is transmitted to the resonator 12 basically only
through the compressive coil springs 18a, 18b and 18c, which are
interposed between the base 14 and the mount member 16 exerting the
force on them with both ends thereof. Since the compressive coil
springs 18a, 18b and 18c are the vibration-absorbing members, the
vibration generated from the music box sound generating mechanism
11 is transmitted to the resonator 12 only through the contact
portion between the support shaft 20 and the nut 26. Thus, the
volume becomes the lowest.
[0051] Although one embodiment of the music box of the present
invention has been described based on the drawings, the present
invention is not limited to this, but is anticipated to achieve
various changes in the details and improvements of configurations,
etc. within the scope of the invention. For example, a rubber
cylindrical member may be used in place of the compressive coil
spring to control the contact pressure. Also, a linear contact by a
wavy stick or a plane contact by a flat spring can be used. A screw
member may be used for the cam member as a deforming member, and
another manual operation means such as a dial or a handle may be
considered beside the lever.
[0052] Further, the resonator may not be a wooden case (housing),
but a plate member may be attached to the base via the mount
member.
[0053] Moreover, although this embodiment has used a cylinder-type
music box to describe a means for fixing the frame and the mount
member through the control member, this means can be also applied
in a disk-type music box regardless of the type of the
movement.
[0054] Another embodiment of the acoustic device of the present
invention is described referring to the drawings.
[0055] In FIGS. 6 and 7, Reference number 101 is a sound generating
body. Although the sound generating body 101 is not specifically
limited as long as it generates a sound, a music box movement is
used as a sound generating body in this embodiment. The sound
generating body 101 has a base, which is attached to two
interposing members 102 arranged parallel to each other along the
horizontal direction. The two interposing members 102 are connected
to an amplifying member 105 via a pair of support members 103, both
ends in the longitude direction of which also function as a
vibration-preventing member. Note that the amplifying member is a
plate member; a pair of holding members 104 are fixed along the
left and right side edges of the plate-like amplifying member 105;
and the two interposing members 102 are connected to the top
surfaces of the holding members 104 via the support members
103.
[0056] The amplifying member 105 can be configured by curving a
plate-like member in a smooth wavy shape. To maintain the curve of
the amplifying member 105, both side surfaces of the amplifying
member 105 are held by the holding members 104, and the sound
generating body 101 is connected to one of the end surfaces of the
amplifying member 105, i.e., the top surface in the embodiment
illustrated in the FIGURE. The amplifying member 105 may be a
plate-like member composed of a material such as a wood, a
cardboard, a nonwoven fabric, a synthetic resin plate, an FRP, a
metallic plate, or a compound material of the above. With the
curved surface, the amplifying member 105 can obtain the amplifying
effects by concentrating the acoustic energy in a specific
direction without dispersing it. As the audio vibration sound from
the sound generating body is transmitted to a portion of the end
surface of the amplifying member 105, the amplifying effects can be
obtained.
[0057] The support members 103 do not necessarily function as the
vibration-preventing member, but a wooden material may be used for
the support members, for example. However, it is still desirable to
use a vibration-preventing member for the support members. The
vibration-preventing member can be an elastic member such as a
rubber or a general shock-absorbing member.
[0058] A transmitting member 106 is positioned between the sound
generating body 101 and the amplifying member 105, more accurately,
between the interposing members 102, which are substantially
connected to the sound generating body 101, and the top end surface
of the amplifying member 105. The transmitting member 106 is
positioned capable of making contact with and separating from the
sound generating body 101 and the amplifying member 105. By making
the transmitting member 6 contact with the sound generating body 1
and the amplifying member 105 and separating it from them, the
loudness of the sound which is transmitted from the sound
generating body 101 to the amplifying member 105 and then generated
at the amplifying member 105 can be roughly controlled. Also, by
changing the material for the transmitting member 6 or changing the
connecting position of the sound generating body 101 and the
amplifying member 105, i.e., by changing the contact condition
between the sound generating body 101 and the amplifying member
105, the volume of the sound, which is transmitted from the sound
generating body 101 to the amplifying member 105 and then generated
at the amplifying member 105, can be controlled.
[0059] In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the amplifying
member 105 is positioned at the tip of a lever, which is attached
to the bottom surface of one of the interposing members 102 to be
rotatable in a horizontal plane around the axis in the
perpendicular direction. As this lever is revolved, the
transmitting member 106 can come in contact with or separate from
the sound generating body 101 (the interposing members 102
substantially connected to the body 101) and the amplifying member
105. With this, the sound pressure can be roughly controlled. The
transmitting member 106 is formed in a wedge shape; by controlling
the contact condition of the transmitting member with the sound
generating body 101 and the amplifying member 105 such as by
adjusting the tightness of fitting of the transmitting member
between the sound generating body 101 and the amplifying member
105, the efficiency of the sound transmission between the sound
generating body 101 and the amplifying member 105 can be changed so
that the volume of the sound generated at the amplifying member 105
can be precisely controlled.
[0060] Further, a material having a high density such as a metal
may be used as the material for the transmitting member, or the
transmitting member 106 can be connected with the amplifying member
105 right below the sound generating body 101, to increase the
sound pressure. On the other hand, a material having a low density
such as wood may be used for the transmitting member 106, or the
transmitting member 106 may be connected with the amplifying member
105 being away from the sound generating body 101 but in the
vicinity of the support members 103, in order to reduce the sound
pressure. Thus, a precise sound pressure control can be
performed.
[0061] FIG. 11 shows the results of the frequency properties
obtained when the transmitting member 106 makes contact with the
sound generating body 101 (the interposing members 102
substantially connected to the body 101) and the amplifying member
105 and when it is separated from them, in the embodiment of FIGS.
6 and 7. In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis is the frequency of the
sound, and the vertical axis is the sound pressure. The curve shown
by the solid line is the frequency property obtained when the
transmitting member 106 makes contact with the sound generating
body 101 (the interposing members 102 substantially connected to
the body 101) and the amplifying member 105, that is, when the
audio vibration sound is transmitted from the sound generating body
101 to the amplifying member 105. The curve shown by the dotted
line is the frequency property obtained when the transmitting
member 6 is separated from the amplifying member 105, that is, when
the transmission of the audio vibration sound from the sound
generating body 101 to the amplifying member 105 is
intercepted.
[0062] As understood from the property curves in FIG. 11, the sound
pressure levels are controlled almost evenly over the entire audio
range in an effective manner. Also, it can be assumed from the
curves in FIG. 11, by controlling the contact condition of the
transmitting member 6 with the sound generating body 101 and the
amplifying member 105, the efficiency of the sound transmission
from the sound generating body 101 to the amplifying member 105 can
be changed to precisely control the volume of the sound which is
generated at the amplifying member 105.
[0063] The transmitting member, which makes contact with or
detaches from the sound generating body 101 (or the interposing
members 102 substantially connected to the body 101) and the
amplifying member 105, can be modified in various forms. FIGS. 8
through 10 show examples of the various modifications of the
transmitting member. In FIGS. 8 through 10, Reference number 111
indicates a sound generating body (or the interposing members
substantially connected to the body 101) and Reference number 151
indicates an amplifying member. The bottom surface of the sound
generating body 111 and the top surface of the amplifying member
151 are opposed from each other with a predetermined gap. The
transmitting member comes into the gap, wherein it can make contact
with the sound generating body 111 and the amplifying member 151 or
separate from them.
[0064] FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which a transmitting member
161 composed of an ammunition-like wedge is inserted into the gap
between the sound generating body 111 and the amplifying member 151
to connect the body 111 and the member 151 (see FIG. 8(b)) and also
removed from the gap to separate the body 111 from the member 151
(see FIG. 8(a)). In this manner, the transmission of the audio
vibration sound from the sound generating body 111 to the
amplifying member 151 is changed in different levels so that the
pressure level of the sound generated can be controlled to high or
low. The transmitting member 161 can be made to contact with and to
be separated from the sound generating body 111 and the amplifying
member 151, and also can change the firmness of its contact, i.e.,
its contact condition with the sound generating body 111 and the
amplifying member 151. By doing this, the loudness of the sound
which is transmitted from the sound generating body 111 to the
amplifying member 151 and then generated at the amplifying member
151 can be controlled.
[0065] FIG. 9 shows an example in which a transmitting member 162
having an oval cross-section is supported to be rotatable in a
perpendicular plane inside a gap between the sound generating body
111 and the amplifying member 151; FIG. 9(a) shows that the
transmitting member 162 is positioned horizontally so that the
sound generating body 111 and the amplifying member are not
connected; FIG. 9(b) shows that the transmitting member 162 is
positioned vertically to provide contact between the sound
generating body 11 and the amplifying member 151. These positions
can be switched. Even in this example, the pressure level of the
sound generated can be switched in different levels. Also, the
firmness of the contact, i.e., the contact condition of the
transmitting member 151 with the sound generating body 111 and the
amplifying member 151 can be changed so that the loudness of the
sound which is transmitted from the sound generating body 111 to
the amplifying member 151 and generated at the amplifying member
151 can be controlled.
[0066] FIG. 10 shows an example in which a disk-like transmitting
member 163 is supported to be rotatable in a perpendicular plane
inside the gap between the sound generating body 111 and the
amplifying member 151. The transmitting member 163 consists of a
vibration-transmitting member 164, which passes through the center
of circle and extends in the diameter direction, and a
vibration-preventing member 165, which sandwiches the
vibration-transmitting member 164 from both sides and forms a
circular outer circumference together with the
vibration-transmitting member 164; the outer circumference is
always in contact with the sound generating body 111 and the
amplifying member 151. The transmitting member 63 can be switched
in two positions: the position illustrated in FIG. 10(a), in which
the vibration-transmitting member 164 is positioned to be
horizontal so that the vibration-preventing member 165 makes
contact with the sound generating body 111 and the amplifying
member 151; and the position illustrated in FIG. 10(b), in which
the vibration-transmitting member 164 is positioned to be vertical
so that the vibration-transmitting member 164 makes contact with
the sound generating body 111 and the amplifying member 151. Under
the condition of FIG. 10(a), the audio vibration sound is not
easily transmitted from the sound generating body 111 to the
amplifying member 151, generating a low sound pressure. Under the
condition of FIG. 10(b), the audio vibration sound is efficiently
transmitted from the sound generating body 111 to the amplifying
member 151, generating a high sound pressure. As shown in the
example of FIG. 10, by controlling the contact condition of the
vibration-transmitting member 164, which configures the
transmitting member 163, with the sound generating body 111 and the
amplifying member 151, i.e., by adjusting the contact angle of the
vibration-transmitting member 164 with respect to the sound
generating body 111 and the amplifying member 151, the transmission
of the audio vibration sound from the sound generating body 111 to
the amplifying member 151 can be controlled, and thus the sound
pressure level can be continuously controlled.
[0067] Also, beside the elastic member or the shock-absorbing
member, the vibration-preventing member can be provided by bending
a metallic bar or a metallic plate, as illustrated as a
vibration-preventing member 103 in FIG. 12. In such a case, where
to bend is not limited to this. Also, the metallic material can be
aluminum, iron, etc.; however, it is not limited to these.
[0068] FIG. 13 shows the results of the frequency properties
obtained when the transmitting member 106 makes contact with the
sound generating body 101 (the interposing members 102
substantially connected to the body 101) and the amplifying member
105 and when it is separated from them in the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 12. In the same manner as the description of
FIG. 11, as understood from the property curves of FIG. 13, the
sound pressure level is controlled almost evenly over the entire
audio range in an effective manner.
[0069] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 14, between two
vibration-preventing members 130 and 130, a member 180 composed of
a material different from that of the members 130 and 130 may be
interposed. This increases the effectiveness in intercepting the
vibrations.
[0070] As described above, the acoustic device of the present
invention comprises a sound generating body, and a resonator having
a mount member to which the sound generating body is mounted;
wherein the frame of the sound generating body and the mount member
are fixed via the control member that can control the transmission
of the vibration energy of the sound generated by the sound
generating body. Therefore, a portion of the vibration which would
be transmitted to the resonator is absorbed, and thus the volume is
freely controlled.
[0071] According to one aspect of the invention, the control member
is attached so as to adjust the contact pressure between the frame
of the sound generating body and the mount member. Therefore, the
amount of the vibration energy, which is transmitted to the
resonator, can be changed according to the contact pressure, thus
controlling the volume freely.
[0072] According to another aspect of the invention, the control
member is an elastic member; when it is provided at two or more
positions, different sizes, shapes, coefficients of elasticity, and
mounting conditions need to be considered. Therefore, the vibration
frequency and the amount of the vibration energy, which are
transmitted to the resonator, defer according to the contact
condition between the frame and the mount member; thus, the sound
quality as well as the volume can be changed.
[0073] According to another aspect of the invention, the contact
pressure can be controlled by a combined function of the deforming
means for the elastic member and the manual operation member, which
is connected to the deforming means. Therefore, through a simple
revolving operation by hand, such as a lever, the force of the
elastic member is changed via the deforming means such as the cam,
screw, wedge, etc. so that the contact pressure between the frame
and the mount member is freely and continually changed to
increase/reduce the volume. Consequently, a listener can enjoy the
music with the volume suitable for the atmosphere in which the
acoustic device can be easily listened or with the volume the
listener is comfortable with.
[0074] According to another aspect of the invention, the
transmitting member is brought to make contact with or is separated
from the sound generating body and the amplifying member to change
the transmission condition of the audio vibration sound from the
sound generating body to the amplifying member so that the pressure
level of the sound generated can be switched to high and low. Also,
the contact condition of the transmitting member with the sound
generating body and the amplifying member can be changed to change
the efficiency in transmitting the audio vibration sound which is
transmitted from the sound generating body to the amplifying member
so that the loudness of the sound generated at the amplifying
member can be controlled. Unlike a conventional amplifying means by
a housing such as a resonance box in which multiple frequency
vibrations are mixed inside the housing, the vibration sound
generated by the sound generating body can be transmitted to the
amplifying member as it is. Therefore, the sound pressure of a pure
vibration sound which is generated by the sound generating body can
be controlled.
[0075] According to another aspect of the invention, the
vibration-preventing member is provided between the sound
generating body and a holding member. Therefore, between the sound
generating member and the holding member, the sound from the sound
generating body is transmitted to the holding member through the
transmitting member and the transmission of the sound from other
portions is intercepted by the vibration-preventing member.
Consequently the sound pressure can be effectively controlled and a
good frequency property can be obtained.
[0076] The foregoing specific embodiments represent just some of
the ways of practicing the present invention. Many other
embodiments are possible within the spirit of the invention.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited to the
foregoing specification, but instead is given by the appended
claims along with their full range of equivalents.
* * * * *